7 Long Island makers creating one-of-a-kind holiday gifts

With the holidays fast approaching, seasonal markets and fairs are buzzing with activity — and creativity.

Crafters have been busy as elves, making everything from whimsical woolen animals and woodcrafts to jewelry and gifts that boast local pride.

"I love doing craft shows. I always tell people, I feel like I'm part of some sort of traveling carnival or circus," crafter Anne Wray-Penders says. "It’s sort of like a family."

For one-of-a-kind items for loved ones — and a little something for yourself (because you deserve it) — these shopping destinations should be at the top of your list.

Meet seven Long Island crafters,  and find out where you can see their creations in person.

Making woodworking wonders

Carla Pereira, 48, a Selden hairdresser and mother of three, picked up woodworking as a hobby more than a decade ago.

Last year, she launched Craft Your Stress Away, a small business specializing in custom woodworking gifts, event decor and hand-painted, laser-engraved DIY kits. Prices range from $3 to $100.

"I make every piece different," says Pereira, who is working on a website. "No one will ever have exactly the same piece."

Two seasonal favorites: festive cutting boards and circular ornaments featuring a scannable QR code to track Santa’s arrival.

• Meet the maker at Northport Winter Craft Fair and Selden Craft and Gift Fair

Crafting statements of local pride

Lauren Restaino, 35, an ENL teacher from West Babylon, is a lifelong crafter. The creative spark for 4-year-old Long Island Design Co., which specializes in apparel and handmade gifts, struck during her commute to work.

"I got the idea that the parkway signs around the island would look really cool as coasters," Restaino says, adding that over the years her brand at longislanddesignco.com has expanded. "I create thoughtful products that Long Islanders can relate to."

Look for quirky images of bagels, pizza, a ferry, a lighthouse, the beach and fun sayings on her crafts that she designs and makes using film transfers, stencils and decals.

‘Tis the season now for special holiday gift sets and ornaments made with sand and shells collected from the South Shore. Prices run $10 to $50.

"The idea is to make something that anyone on the island can feel seen by," she says. "When someone comes into my booth and says, ‘That’s so me!’ I love that reaction."

• Meet the maker at Great South Bay Brewery and Babylon Christmas Market

Felting her way to wonderland of whimsy

Anne Wray-Penders, 60, of Huntington Station, has spent 41 years working for Verizon. She’s fiber-optic network by day, fiber artist by night.

She runs Bitsy’s Attic, her felting business launched in 2019. Using unprocessed wool and specialized needles, Wray-Penders, also known to family as "Bitsy," creates figures, animals and accessories. See her work at Bitsysatticfelting.com.

She’s best known for her adorable mice ($40 each) and shoppers flock to her tiny bluebirds, chickadees and cardinals ($10 apiece). She won an outstanding fiber art award at a Gallery North exhibit in June.

• Meet the maker at Northport Winter Craft Fair

Crafting art you can use

Samantha Iannucci, 32, of Holtsville, balances a full-time job as a teaching assistant with studying for a master’s in special education.

In her crafty side enterprise, she transforms wood, stone and ceramic tiles into coasters painted with acrylics. Prices run $25-$30 for a set of four.

"I just enjoy making the coasters because they're smaller," says Iannucci, whose work can be seen on Instagram at @samanthas.inspired.art. "I like that they’re functional works of art." She also makes resin key chains ($7 each) — more useful items for everyday life.

Iannucci takes custom orders and earned international recognition in 2023 when the Divulgarti Gallery in Genoa, Italy, featured her work in an exhibit themed, "Everything Is Chemistry."

• Meet the maker at Northport Winter Craft Fair

Giving flatware a glow-up

Crafters often spot potential in everyday materials, turning simple elements into expressive art. Case in point: Lauren Hagan, 35, who works for Suffolk County and lives in Middle Island. She launched her side business, CarinaPOP Designs, in 2023.

Inspired by her grandfather’s jewelry-making legacy and guided by her uncle’s instruction, she upcycles vintage flatware into one-of-a-kind bracelets, rings and necklaces. She sources pieces at estate, thrift and garage sales, then cuts, shapes and polishes then into gleaming bling. Prices run from $6 to $49.

"Flatware is a forgotten treasure," says Hagan, who can be found on Instagram at @carinapop_designs. "I like to give it a new life."

• Meet the maker at Club and Vendor Fair in Port Jefferson and Selden Craft and Gift Fair

Keeping laser-focused on cute earrings

Maryam Yaqoob, 27, and her husband, Mahad, 28, of Farmingdale, run Baali Handcrafted Goods (@baali.ny), where they handcraft laser-cut acrylic earrings designed as fun statement pieces.

Both work in medical billing, and the business — launched two and a half years ago — is their side hustle. She loves jewelry; as a graphic designer, he likes seeing his designs come to life in three dimensions.

"Baali means 'earring' in both the Hindi and Urdu languages," Maryam says. "Our holiday collection is very warm." Earrings range from $15 to $45. Winter styles include mistletoe, gingerbread men, holiday trees and snowflakes.

Keeping everyday towels in stitches

Paula Carey, a retired nurse who lives in Lido Beach, has tried "painting, woodworking, all that," she says.

Now she focuses on custom embroidery and gives everyday kitchen and bathroom hand towels a charming makeover. Winter themes — snowmen, Santa, gingerbread, Hanukkah — are hot right now. The price is $18 each.

Carey runs the business year-round with help from her daughter, Caitlin, and her sister, Pam Jurgens. She sells at craft shows, mall events and stitchcraftny.com.

"I enjoy the creative outlet," Carey says. "The craft business is my sanity."

• Meet the maker at South Shore Mall in Bay Shore